Manchester United will compete with Arsenal to sign Sami Khedira at the end of the season.

The Germany international will have one year left on his contract next June — and has been a long-time target for Arsene Wenger.

Khedira, 26, is currently ­sidelined with a cruciate knee injury suffered during Germany’s 1-1 friendly draw against Italy in Milan last month.

But the powerful midfielder is a close friend of Mesut Ozil, who has made such a big impact in his first season at the ­Emirates, and would jump at the chance of being reunited with his former Real Madrid ­team-mate. The asking price would be £20million for a player who would have just a year left on his contract at the Bernabeu. However, United manager David Moyes has now entered the hunt.

Although United reached the knockout stages of the Champions League last week, they are only ninth in the Premier League, have lost their last two home matches, against Everton and Newcastle, and trail leaders Arsenal by 13 points.